Here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.

Preview: Los Angeles Kings at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m. The big news here is the benching of Alexander Frolov(notes), who is a healthy scratch tonight after Coach Terry Murray said he's been unhappy with the Russian's play "for several games." Said Dean Lombardi to Rich Hammond of Kings Insider: "He's either going to get on board or we'll go in another direction with him." The question now is whether Lombardi's phone has stopped ringing this afternoon. No Brad Richards tonight for Dallas.

Preview: San Jose Sharks at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. Speaking of demotions, Dany Heatley(notes) was shipped down to the second power-play unit and has Eric Duhastschek wondering if Heater will start pouting. Meanwhile, the existence of this must make life for a few Oilers rather poopy.

Preview: Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m. No Ales Hemsky(notes) tonight for the Oil, still overcoming the flu bug.

Evening Reading

• Congrats to The Chief from Abel To Yzerman for goading Denver Post writer Adrian Dater into some massive free publicity. Congrats to Dater for poking the blogosphere hive on Twitter with his "I want 1,000 followers" deadline and getting a massive reaction. [Kukla's Korner]

• The Minnesota Wild will name a captain Tuesday. But how many of his officers will be around if the losing continues? Fire sale! [Wild Puck Banter]

• The Ottawa Sun reported that Nathan Horton(notes) is on the block. Florida Panthers GM Randy Sexton said: "There is no shred of truth" to a report that was "absolutely" made up. [Sun Sentinel]

• Steve Lepore wonders why NHL Network didn't pick up CBC's hit series "Battle of the Blades." And what, preempt the 14th showing of On The Fly? [Puck The Media]

• The Toronto Marlies give forward Mike Zigomanis(notes) a tryout contract. [PPP]

• The New Jersey Devils placed defenseman Cory Murphy(notes) on waivers in an attempt to send him down to the AHL. [Fire & Ice]

• The NHL releases Winter Classic ticket refund information. Sadly, "the Bruins and Flyers didn't fight" is nowhere to be found on list of valid reasons for reimbursement. [NHL]

Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: It appears the party is over for 9-year-old Oliver Wahlstrom, at least according to Jerk Store:

"god im sick of this kid already. what we need is a 9 yr old pronger to elbow him in the head."

It's like Jim Henson's NHL Frontier Justice Babies ...

Bold Prediction: Heatley outscores Marian Gaborik(notes) tonight at MSG.

Related: Hockey Fans, Rumors, scuttlebutt, innuendo